Garden scythe brandishing report leads to arrests

Two men have been arrested after police received reports of an off-road biker riding around Sutton-in-Ashfield town centre brandishing a garden scythe and threatening people.

Nottinghamshire Police said the rider crashed into a kerb and dropped the weapon, with another person picking it up and getting on the back of the bike.

Officers carried out a search of the area after receiving a call at about 12:10 BST on Monday and found a bike in nearby Mapplewells Road, along with a garden scythe and two suspects.

Two men, 20 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, possessing a bladed article and affray, police said.

The 20-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and other driving offences, the force added.

Insp Keith Croft said: "While thankfully nobody was harmed during this incident, it will have no doubt caused great alarm to anyone who witnessed it.

"Put simply, there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for anyone to brandish a bladed weapon and threaten someone with it, as we understand took place on this occasion."

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